The following is an article taken from Lifescript.com about Electrolysis, written by E.E. Kane and published in November 2007.

Mary looks in the mirror at her face through bleary eyes one morning after her 40th birthday. Ack! What is that black thing on her upper lip? Alas, it is a hair, coarse enough to rival any strand from her husband’s mustache. She reaches for the tweezers and yanks the offending hair, bringing tears to her eyes. There must be a better way, thinks Mary. As the months go by and the dastardly hair sprouts once more, bringing along a few friends, Mary tries waxing and cream depilatories without much satisfaction. She begins to consider a career in the circus when she finally tries electrolysis. Does Mary live happily ever after? Quite possibly, if she has the right facts. Read on to learn everything you need to know about electrolysis hair removal and a few of the myths surrounding the practice.

The Science of ElectrolysisElectrolysis is not confined to hair removal alone. It is a very basic and important process that is used to extract hydrogen from water. It has other industrial uses, but for now all you need to know is that electrolysis is a process in which an electric current passes through a chemically bonded element to separate the chemicals. In hair removal, the electric current passes through a needle inserted into the hair follicle and chemically changes the salt and water in the skin to produce sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye, is caustic enough to kill the cells that generate hair growth. With the root knocked out, the hair does not grow back.

Electrolysis is not a recent method of hair removal. It was first used by Dr. Charles Michel to remove ingrown eyelashes in 1875. The process was improved over the years and scientists tried to find ways to refine it with computer technology, but the best method to date is still a manual instrument in the hands of a highly trained and experienced electrologist.

Does it work? Yes. It is by far the most successful method available for permanent hair removal. This is welcome news for those women who suffer with facial hair or an overabundance of hair in unwanted areas. It is advantageous over shaving (which provides temporary results), cream or powder depilatories (which provide temporary results plus the unpleasant use of chemicals) or waxing and tweezing (painful and only lasts a few weeks).

The confusion and misrepresentation remain about electrolysis for hair removal. The following is a list of myths and facts about electrolysis that will help you decide whether getting rid of unwanted hair for good is worth the process.